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Diaby - My history with Paris St Germain

By Richard Clarke

Abou Diaby could easily have been lining up against Arsenal on
Saturday.

The French midfielder was on the books at Paris St Germain for
two years as a teenager before joining up with Auxerre. A few years
later he broke into the first-team with Guy Roux's side and
subsequently moved to Arsenal in January 2006. After a nasty injury
at the end of his first season, he is now establishing himself in
Arsène Wenger's team and is likely to play a major role
when his home town club visit North London for the Emirates Cup on
Saturday. That said, he was hardly a devoted fan when he was
young.

"I was with PSG when I was 13 and I left when I reached
15," Diaby told Arsenal.com. "Although I was born in
Paris and every Parisian seems to support them, I actually
supported Marseilles.

"But I did like them when George Weah played there. I loved
this player for what he did on the pitch but also I think he was a
nice guy off the pitch. He did a lot for his country, Liberia. I
respect him a lot."

Last season, PSG finished in an uncharacteristic 15th place.
Diaby believes they will respond positively this season.

"They are a good side," he said. "It was
difficult for them last year. They are a big club and normally they
have to play for a place in the top three in the Championship. But
this year they will be a good side again.

"They still have Pauleta and some good young players in the
side. Also Paul le Guen is a good coach as well. I remember when he
used to play for PSG a few years ago. He did so well in charge at
Lyon and I think he can bring this experience to Paris this
season."

Copyright 2015 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the sourceRichard Clarke27 Jul 2007

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